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Kimono Peach Blossoms, Matcha & Afternoon Tea — One Day from Tokyo【March 2026】
Kimono, Peach Blossoms & Afternoon Tea in Koga
A One-Day Spring Escape from Tokyo
After two days exploring Tokyo, it’s time to step slightly off the beaten path.
On Day 3, travel just one hour from the city to Koga, a charming historic town where you can experience Japan’s spring with all five senses.Dress in a traditional kimono, enjoy an authentic matcha tea ceremony surrounded by peach blossoms, and end the day with a refined afternoon tea in a Taisho-era Western-style mansion.
This experience is designed to be relaxed, cultural, and deeply seasonal—perfect for travelers who want to go beyond the highlights.
This tour is warmly hosted in collaboration with the Koga Tourism Association and trusted local partners.
Guests are welcomed not as tourists, but as visitors to the community, supported by regional artisans, tea specialists, and cultural practitioners.
🕰️ Detailed Schedule (AM / PM)
9:20 AM | Meet at Koga Station
Meet your guide outside the ticket gates at Koga Station, in front of the Tourist Information Center.
Staff wearing orange happi coats will be waiting to welcome you.
9:20 AM – 11:00 AM | Guided Walk in Koga
Begin the day with a gentle walking tour of Koga, once a historic castle town.
This introduction offers insight into local life and history—an authentic contrast to Tokyo.
11:00 AM – 12:10 PM | Kimono Selection & Dressing
At the elegant Literature Museum, housed in a Taisho-period Western-style building,
professional kimono dressers carefully fit each guest in a refined and stylish kimono.Once dressed, you’ll head toward the peach blossom festival area.
12:10 PM – 1:50 PM | Peach Blossom Festival & Matcha Experience
Arrive at Koga Kubo Park, where around 1,700 peach trees color the park in soft shades of spring pink.
Here, enjoy an authentic matcha tea experience hosted by local tea specialists.
Take memorable photos in kimono, stroll through the festival grounds, and sample light local snacks from food stalls if you wish.
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Peach Blossom Afternoon Tea
Return to the Literature Museum for the highlight of the day:
a Peach Blossom–themed Afternoon Tea.Enjoy a curated selection of Japanese and Western sweets created exclusively in Koga, paired with Sashima Tea, one of Japan’s earliest export teas.
A calm, elegant moment to relax and reflect on the day.
4:00 PM | Change Clothes & Tour Ends
After changing back into your clothes, the tour concludes.
You can return to Koga Station and be back in Tokyo by early evening.
💰 Tour Details
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Price: ¥61,000 (USD $407) per person
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For groups of 3 to 4 people: JPY 47,000 (USD $313)
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Group size: 2-4 guests
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All group sizes: Same price
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No group discounts – Premium experience guaranteed
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Duration: Approx. 6.5 hours
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Minimum Participants: 2 guests
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Age Requirement: 18+
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Languages: English
Cancellation charges apply based on the timing of cancellation:
– 20 days or more before departure: up to 20% of the total tour price
– 7 to 19 days before departure: up to 30%
– 1 day before departure: up to 40%
– On the day of departure: up to 50%
– After departure or no-show: up to 100%
📅 Available Dates (Spring 2026)
March:
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Wednesday, March 18
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Thursday, March 19
Weekday Immersion by Design
This experience is intentionally designed for weekday participation, allowing for:
- Peaceful exploration without weekend crowds
- More intimate interaction with Koga’s daily rhythm and residents
- Deeper engagement with artisans and local tea producers
- Unhurried pacing that honors both cultural authenticity and guide expertise
Weekday availability ensures the quiet, authentic Koga—the town as it truly lives—rather than as it appears on crowded festival days.
✈️ Why This Fits Perfectly on Day 3 in Tokyo
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Easy day trip (about 1 hour each way)
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No rushed schedule—ideal after busy sightseeing days
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A chance to experience traditional culture, seasonal nature, and local life
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Returns to Tokyo in time for dinner or evening plans
Why Koga?
A Refined Day Trip Beyond Tokyo — Privately Guided
For travelers who have already experienced Tokyo, Kyoto, and Japan’s major highlights, Koga offers something increasingly rare: a quiet, authentic, and beautifully seasonal Japan, just one hour from the capital.
What makes this experience truly special is that the entire day is privately guided— allowing guests to explore at a comfortable pace, with depth, context, and personal attention.
Expert Guidance, Unhurried Pace
This experience is expert-guided and limited to a small group of up to 8 guests, allowing for personal attention, smooth coordination, and meaningful cultural interaction throughout the day.
Rather than being led by multiple staff members at different locations, guests enjoy:
- One consistent guide for the entire experience
- Smooth coordination between cultural activities
- Cultural explanations tailored to guests’ interests and background
- A relaxed, unhurried pace with flexibility
This style of guiding is especially appreciated by international travelers seeking quality, trust, and meaningful interaction, rather than mass tourism.
Easy Access, Yet Deeply Local
- Approx. 1 hour by train from central Tokyo
- Simple logistics for a day trip
- No crowds, no overtourism
Despite its accessibility, Koga remains a town where daily life, tradition, and seasonal rhythms are still intact—an ideal setting for private guiding.
Spring’s Signature: The Peach Blossom Festival
Each March, Koga celebrates its agricultural heritage through the Hanamomomatsuri (Peach Blossom Festival), a regionally-rooted seasonal tradition that awakens the town in spring. Approximately 1,700 peach trees bloom across Koga Kubo Park, creating one of the Kanto region’s most poetic landscapes—a transformation experienced by residents and visitors alike.
The festival itself remains locally authentic—not commercially staged—allowing guests to witness the season as the community naturally experiences it. With private guiding, the deeper narrative emerges: why this festival matters to Koga’s identity, how peach cultivation shaped regional pride, and the intersection of agricultural tradition with cultural continuity.
Kimono as Immersion, Not Consumption
Guests are professionally dressed and accompanied by a guide while exploring the town in kimono—walking, drinking tea, and engaging with the landscape and community. What distinguishes this experience is the philosophy behind it.
Like traditional sewing crafts, kimono represents culture sustained by human hands and time. How we receive such traditions—how we engage with them—determines whether they are passed forward to the next generation or simply consumed.
Kimono selection and professional dressing are provided by instructors from Takumi Tanki Daigakko, a nationally recognized vocational institute specializing in traditional textile arts and craftsmanship. These artisans include award-winning textile experts honored at the National Skills Olympics—a distinction reflecting mastery at Japan’s highest standards of technical excellence. This careful, expert attention is not a service detail; it is an act of cultural stewardship.
As a nationally certified interpreter guide and regional DMC operator for over 20 years, I do not approach this from theory or critique. I stand in the field, face to face with people—artisans, residents, guides—making real judgments and adjustments. This is why I speak about cultural transmission with conviction: because I have witnessed, directly, the difference between experiences that honor tradition and those that consume it.
Guests wear the kimono authentically while engaging with the town, supported throughout by their private guide’s cultural knowledge and attentiveness. The experience creates immersion rather than performance—a quiet choice that asks travelers to receive rather than take, to participate rather than observe.
Detailed information and artisan profiles available at: https://musubi-travel.jp/archives/1950
Tea with a Story: Sashima Tea
Koga is historically known for Sashima Tea, regarded as Japan’s first export tea. Through private guiding, guests learn:
- Why this tea mattered historically to Japan’s opening to global trade
- How it shaped the region’s economic and cultural identity
- How agriculture, trade, and cultural pride intersected in Koga’s story
Tea becomes a cultural narrative, not merely a tasting—a moment of understanding how Koga contributed to Japan’s modern history.
A Taisho-Era Setting for Calm Elegance
The day concludes at the Koga Literature Museum, a beautifully preserved Taisho-era Western-style building, where guests enjoy:
- A Peach Blossom–themed Afternoon Tea, celebrating the season
- Locally crafted Japanese and Western sweets
- A refined, quiet atmosphere ideal for conversation and reflection
The private guide remains present, ensuring smooth flow and contextual storytelling while allowing guests space to relax and absorb the experience.
The Ideal Rhythm for Overseas Travelers
For travelers staying multiple days in the Tokyo region:
- Day 1–2: Tokyo (urban energy, contemporary culture, landmarks)
- Day 3: Koga (nature, tradition, seasonal beauty, expert private guidance)
- Day 4 onward: onward travel or deeper regional exploration
This balance of contrast, quality, and accessibility is highly valued by overseas DMCs and international travel producers seeking authentic, memorable experiences beyond Japan’s well-known circuits.
Experience Details:
- Limited to March (festival season)
- Group size: up to 8 guests
- Duration: Full day (recommend 1 hour travel + 6-7 hours on-site)
- Kimono artisan support: Takumi Tanki Daigakko (Featured on TV Asahi, February 2)
- For detailed itinerary and booking: https://musubi-travel.jp/archives/1950
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1/17埼玉県商工会議所青年部連合会研修会登壇のご報告
研修事業に登壇いたしました
――インバウンド事業の現場から、人材育成へ
先日、埼玉県商工会議所青年部連合会が主催する研修事業にて、
研修講師として登壇する機会をいただきました。本研修のテーマは
「インバウンド事業から学ぶリーダー論と発想力」。
観光分野を切り口としながらも、今回の研修で求められていたのは、
単なる事例紹介やノウハウの共有ではありませんでした。
今回の研修で求められていたこと
事前の事業趣旨や、当日の参加者の皆さまの反応を通して感じたのは、
関心の中心が「成功事例」や「正解」にあるのではなく、-
発想はどこから生まれるのか
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異業種とどのように関係性を築いていくのか
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人が主体的に動き出すために何が必要なのか
といった、考え方や姿勢そのものに向けられていたということです。
インバウンドという言葉はあくまで入口であり、
本質的には「人」と「関係性」、
そして現場での判断や行動の積み重ねについてお話しする時間となりました。
現場の経験が、研修という形につながっていく
弊社ではこれまで、旅行業・インバウンド事業を中心に、
地域事業者や行政、異業種との連携、
また人材育成の現場に携わってまいりました。その中で一貫して感じてきたのは、
どれほど優れた素材や制度があっても、
それを活かす「人」が育たなければ、事業は持続しない
という現実です。今回の研修も、そうした現場での経験が評価され、
「人材育成」や「リーダー論」という文脈で
お声がけいただいたものと受け止めております。
登壇を通して感じたこと
研修当日は、参加者の皆さまがそれぞれの地域や事業に引き寄せながら、
真剣に耳を傾けてくださっている様子が印象的でした。寄せられたご質問も、
「正解を知りたい」というものではなく、
「自分たちの現場では、どのように考えればよいのか」
という問いが多く見られました。研修とは、答えを持ち帰る場ではなく、
考え始めるきっかけを持ち帰る場なのだと、
改めて実感する機会となりました。
人材育成において大切にしていること
研修や人材育成というと、
スキルやノウハウを教える場として捉えられがちです。しかし弊社では、
人が自ら考え、主体的に行動できる状態をつくること
こそが、人材育成の本質であると考えています。そのためには、
- 自分たちの強みに気づく視点
- 安心して挑戦できる関係性
- 小さな成功体験の積み重ね
といった「土台」を整えることが欠かせません。
研修は、その土台づくりを共に行う時間でもあります。
今後に向けて
今回の研修を通じて、地域や業種を問わず、
人材育成や発想力をテーマとした研修の重要性が
ますます高まっていることを実感しました。今後も弊社では、
インバウンド事業の現場で培ってきた視点を活かしながら、
研修という形で、発想力
異業種連携
人が育つ関係性づくり
について、現場に即した気づきを
共有していきたいと考えております。研修はゴールではなく、あくまで「始まり」です。
本研修が、それぞれの現場での新たな一歩につながることを、
心より願っております。本研修の企画・運営に携わってくださった皆さま、ならびにご参加いただいた皆さまに、あらためて心より御礼申し上げます。
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JNTO日本政府観光局主催 高付加価値旅行の実現 ～訪日旅行客に選ばれるためには～に参加してきました
みなさま、こんにちは。
Musubi代表、増田恵美です。
弊社のブログにお越しくださり、どうもありがとうございます。
JNTO日本政府観光局主催 高付加価値旅行の実現 ～訪日旅行客に選ばれるためには～
２０２５年９月１２日金曜日、上記研修に参加してまいりました。
お話くださったのは、日本政府観光局 市場横断プロモーション部 参与の森崎鉄郎氏です。
大変興味深かった点は、以下の通りです。
１、日本は引き続きブームが継続中。
２、世界最大規模の高付加価値旅行商談会であるILTM APAC（２０２５年７月）では、DMCの情報を求めるバイヤーが多かった。このDMCに求める内容として、地方コンテンツを手配できる地域DMCと直接取引をしたいバイヤーが多かった。
３、一方で、高付加価値旅行取扱DMCへのアンケート結果では、「ガイド手配ができない」ことから海外手配依頼を断るケースがある。高付加価値旅行者に対応できるガイドの育成が必要という現状。
日本政府観光局（JNTO) 高付加価値旅行市場規模調査
訪日高付加価値旅行市場規模は、コロナ前２０１９年とコロナ後２０２３年で訪日消費額の伸び率が＋５０．6％、訪日旅行者数は＋８３.２％という結果でした。コロナ後戻りが速いのは高付加価値旅行者層と言われておりましたが、実証されたことになります。
いよいよ、コロナ期間中、観光庁で実施してきた「遊脚多角化」「域内連携」「看板商品」等の地域魅力体験コンテンツとその導線整備である地域の通訳ガイド様や連携事業者様が、活躍する流れに入るフェーズになってきた感覚です。とっても楽しみですね。
Musubi代表の増田は、地方体験コンテンツ造成時には導線整備が超重要と考え、地方創生事業に参画させていただいた当初より常に地域の通訳ガイド育成と事業者育成を同時並行し、地域内で自走する連携サポートを実施してまいりました。今も全国にて様々な体験コンテンツ伴走と地域のガイド育成事業に携わらせていただいております。お知らせとなりますが、２０２６年１月１７日には、埼玉県商工会議所青年部連合会主催、埼玉アリーナでの講演に登壇させていただく予定です。
関東運輸局観光部「江戸街道プロジェクト」
研修では、もう一つのテーマがありました。関東運輸局観光部の近藤氏よりご紹介がございました、江戸街道プロジェクトについてです。事前にいただいた資料を拝見したときには、正直びっくり。理由は、Musubiの故郷、茨城県古河市は、「古河宿」として日光・奥州街道に位置しているからです。
そして、関東運輸局様に、とある資料をお持ちいたしました。それが、東京国立博物館に所蔵されている「日光道中分間延絵図 第三巻 古河 野木 間々田 小山 新田 小金井」の絵巻図副本です。なぜか押入れに長年仕舞われていたのでした。
Musubi創業時、偶然年末の大掃除で見つけたこの江戸時代の古河地図は、実は現在もその道が残っており、人々の生活道路です。そして、御成道（徳川将軍一行が通った道）近辺には、今も２００年程の生業を受け継ぐ酒蔵、米屋、郷土料理土産物店があります。私達は、現在の古河をイラストにして、この江戸時代地図の上に散りばめ、Koga Walking Map を作り、茨城県国際観光課よりご依頼を受け造成した古河食文化ツアーのFAMトリップ時に、レ・クレドール ジャパンのチーフコンシェルジュ様へプレゼント致しました。
こちらの江戸街道プロジェクトは、２０２６年も継続されるそうで是非、古河市と古河市観光協会様と連携しながら、参画したいと考えております。
Hello everyone,
This is Megumi Masuda, CEO of Musubi.
Thank you very much for visiting our company blog.
Participation in JNTO Seminar
On Friday, September 12, 2025, I attended the seminar organized by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), entitled:
“Achieving High-Value Tourism: How to Be Chosen by International Visitors.”
The keynote speaker was Mr. Tetsuro Morisaki, Advisor, Cross-Market Promotion Department, JNTO.
Key Insights from the Seminar
I found the following points particularly thought-provoking:
- Japan’s continued popularity – inbound tourism remains strong, and the boom shows no sign of slowing down.
- At ILTM APAC 2025 (the world’s largest trade show for high-value tourism, held in July 2025), many buyers were actively seeking information on DMCs. In particular, there was strong interest in regional DMCs capable of arranging local content, with buyers preferring to deal directly with them.
- On the other hand, according to a recent survey of DMCs specializing in high-value tourism, some declined requests from overseas agents due to their inability to arrange suitable guides. This highlighted the urgent need to foster guides who can effectively serve high-value travelers.
Market Trends
According to the JNTO High-Value Tourism Market Survey, the results were striking:
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Compared with 2019 (pre-COVID), the inbound high-value tourism market in 2023 (post-COVID) recorded:
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+50.6% increase in visitor spending
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+83.2% increase in visitor numbers
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It has long been said that high-value travelers lead the recovery after global crises. This survey has now provided clear evidence of that trend.
The Role of Regional Guides and Experiences
We are entering an exciting phase where the regional experience programs developed during the COVID period by the Japan Tourism Agency—such as product diversification, regional collaboration, and the creation of flagship experiences—are now being put into practice. This naturally brings interpreters, guides, and local operators into more prominent roles.
At Musubi, I have always considered infrastructure and flow design to be critical when developing regional experiences. Since the early days of my involvement in regional revitalization projects, I have worked simultaneously on fostering local guides and empowering regional businesses, ensuring they can collaborate and operate independently. Even now, I continue to support experience development and guide training initiatives across Japan.
As a side note, I am honored to share that I will be giving a lecture at the Saitama Super Arena on January 17, 2026, hosted by the Saitama Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry Youth Division.
The Edo Kaido Project
Another theme of the seminar was introduced by Mr. Kondo of the Kanto District Transport Bureau Tourism Department: the Edo Kaido Project.
I was genuinely astonished when I first reviewed the materials—because my hometown, Koga City in Ibaraki Prefecture, is listed as “Koga-juku” on the Nikko and Oshu Kaido.
On this occasion, I brought with me a special resource: a reproduction of an Edo-period illustrated map scroll, “Nikko-dochu Bunkan Nobiezu, Volume 3 – Koga, Nogi, Mamada, Oyama, Nitta, Koganei”, which is held by the Tokyo National Museum. Remarkably, this scroll had been tucked away in storage for years until I discovered it by chance during a New Year’s cleaning around the time Musubi was founded.
This Edo-era map of Koga depicts roads that still exist today, now used as everyday thoroughfares. Along the former Onari-do (the route once taken by the Tokugawa Shogun’s procession), long-standing businesses such as sake breweries, rice shops, and local cuisine specialty stores continue their traditions, some stretching back over 200 years.
We transformed this heritage into a Koga Walking Map, overlaying modern-day Koga illustrations on the historical map. This was presented to the Chief Concierge of Les Clefs d’Or Japan during a FAM trip we organized at the request of the Ibaraki Prefectural International Tourism Division.
Looking Ahead
The Edo Kaido Project will continue into 2026, and I am eager to collaborate with the City of Koga and the Koga City Tourism Association to take part in this initiative.
青木酒造
観光庁「誘客多角化」「看板商品」魅力体験プログラム
Aoki Sake Brewery, featured in the Japan Tourism Agency’s Tourism Diversification and Flagship Experience programs.
https://musubi-travel.jp/wp-content/themes/musubi2023/img/2023/contents/pdf/20230308/aoki1.pdf
https://musubi-travel.jp/wp-content/themes/musubi2023/img/2023/contents/pdf/20230308/aoki2.pdf
米銀
茨城県国際観光課 魅力体験プログラム
Komegin, featured in the Experiential Tourism Program by the International Tourism Division of Ibaraki Prefecture.
全国で唯一の篆刻専門美術館「古河篆刻美術館 篆刻体験」
Koga Seal Engraving Museum – Japan’s only museum specializing in seal engraving, offering hands-on seal carving experiences.
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Rising Sun Rally : The Bentley Drivers Club Journey Across Japan | April 4-28, 2024
Rising Sun Rally : The Bentley Drivers Club Journey Across Japan | April 4-28, 2024
上のリンクからラリーのハイライトYouTube動画が見れます。よろしければ是非ご覧ください。
Here are the highlights from the Rising Sun Rally. You can watch it on YouTube via the link above.
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2024年4月4日から4月28日まで、世界中から集まったベントレー・オーナーが25日間をかけて愛車とともに日本を縦断するツアー「BENTLY RISING SUN RALLY 2024」が開催されました。 本ツアーは英国に本部があるベントレー・ドライバーズ・クラブ、オーストラリアの支部が主催したもので、日本での開催にあたっては、株式会社MUSABI（代表：増田恵美）とCoppa di Tokyo等のクラシックカーイベント実行委員長の岡田邦雄が中心となって日本国内のツアーを企画し運営をサポートしました。参加した自動車はW.O.ベントレー時代の18台をはじめとして全３１台です。 ツアーは4月5日に福岡をスタートし、25日間をかけて日本を縦断する行程で、阿蘇、湯布院、広島、石見銀山、出雲、天の橋立、金沢、佐渡などを経て19日目の22日に日光に宿泊。翌23日の朝、長野の蓼科に向かう途中で日本で最大のベントレーを収蔵するワクイミュージアムを経由、蓼科を経て富士スピードウェイまで。ベントレーを愛するオーナーたちの唯一無二のツアーの様子をお楽しみください。
主催：ベントレーオーナーズクラブ（AU)
企画運営：（株）Musubi
※（株）Musubiでは引き続き、2025年度に、Destination Rally が企画するJapan Classic 2025 の運営を予定しています。ご期待ください。 https://destination-rally.com/rally/japan-classic-2025/
BENTLEY RISING SUN RALLY 2024
From April 4 to April 28, 2024, the Bentley Rising Sun Rally 2024 brought together Bentley owners from around the globe for a 25-day journey across Japan with their beloved cars. This exclusive event was organized by the Bentley Drivers Club, headquartered in the UK, and its Australian branch. The Japan segment of the rally was meticulously planned and supported by Musubi Ltd. (led by Megumi Masuda) and Kunio Okada, chairman of classic car events such as Coppa di Tokyo and Coppa di Kyoto. A total of 31 Bentleys participated, including 18 iconic models from the W.O. Bentley era. The rally began in Fukuoka on April 5 and took participants on a 25-day journey through some of Japan’s most iconic destinations, including Aso, Yufuin, Hiroshima, Iwami Ginzan, Izumo, Amanohashidate, Kanazawa, and Sado. On Day 19, the group stayed overnight in Nikko, then traveled toward Tateshina, Nagano, on April 23, stopping by the WAKUI Museum, which houses Japan’s largest Bentley collection. The rally concluded at Fuji Speedway, offering Bentley enthusiasts a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
Organizers: Bentley Drivers Club (UK, AU)
Planning and Operations: Musubi Ltd.
Looking ahead, Musubi Ltd. is set to manage the Japan Classic 2025, organized by Destination Rally. Stay tuned for another exceptional journey!
https://destination-rally.com/rally/japan-classic-2025/
For overseas rally teams looking to host a classic car rally in Japan, we are delighted to offer bespoke tours tailored exclusively for your group, with heartfelt attention to detail. Please feel free to contact us for more information.
megumi@musubi-travel.jp
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Musubi Ltd. (Grand Tour Musubi Japan / GTM)
What We Value Most
Planning and Organizing Classic Car Rallies in Japan
Kunio and Megumi are the driving forces behind the success of inbound classic car rallies in Japan, delivering extraordinary experiences for enthusiasts from around the world. Kunio’s profound expertise in automotive history and culture provides a solid foundation for these events, while Megumi’s exceptional ability to transform vision into reality ensures every rally is flawlessly executed. Together, they seamlessly blend Japan’s breathtaking landscapes and cultural heritage with the timeless allure of classic cars, creating unparalleled journeys through iconic routes and hidden gems. Their collaboration has elevated these rallies into internationally acclaimed events that bridge cultures, preserve traditions, and inspire a deep appreciation for Japan’s rich history and natural beauty. By combining Kunio’s creative insights and Megumi’s mastery, they continue to redefine the art of luxury travel and classic car rallying.
Embark on an Enchanting Journey Through Japan
Step away from Japan’s bustling cities and into the timeless charm of its untouched countryside, where natural beauty and traditional architecture intertwine. Travel through breathtaking mountain landscapes adorned with terraced rice fields, dense forests, and hidden temples and shrines that seem frozen in time.
An exhilarating adventure awaits as you take the wheel of your cherished car and navigate Japan’s scenic routes, unveiling hidden wonders along the way. From verdant countryside roads and serene lakes to majestic mountains, each turn reveals a new treasure. Discover quaint hamlets, secret viewpoints, and secluded gems that showcase the country’s lesser-known yet awe-inspiring beauty.
This extraordinary journey offers a rare glimpse into the authentic evolution of Japanese culture. Witness the transformation of architectural styles, from the intricate designs of ancient shrines to the colorful variations of rooftops. Immerse yourself in the vibrant rhythms of rural life, from farmers diligently tending their fields to artisans preserving traditions that have been passed down for generations.
More than just a driving adventure, this journey becomes a celebration of connection and camaraderie. Forge lasting friendships with fellow participants as you share exhilarating moments and mutual discoveries. Experience the heartfelt hospitality of Japan through genuine interactions with locals—whether exchanging stories at a traditional inn or participating in cultural activities. These meaningful encounters will leave an indelible mark, creating memories that stay with you long after the journey ends.
Team GTM
Kunio Okada
Since the early 1990s, Kunio has been deeply involved in the planning and organization of historic car rallies, including Coppa di Koumi, Coppa di Kyoto, and Coppa di Tokyo. His passion for historic automobiles has taken him to some of Europe’s most prestigious events, such as the Mille Miglia, Giro di Sicilia, Gran Premio Nuvolari, Bugatti Rally, and Goodwood Festival of Speed, where he has participated extensively while also supporting Japanese entrants.
As an advisor to Nagoya’s Auto Galleria Luce, Kunio has played a pivotal role in every aspect of its planning and operations since its establishment. Beyond this, he has curated and overseen a variety of cultural initiatives centered around the world of automobiles. Drawing from a wealth of firsthand experiences and an encyclopedic knowledge not only acquired through research but also cultivated through immersive fieldwork, he has contributed to respected publications such as CAR MAGAZINE and AUTOCAR.
His most notable work includes the book “Le Corbusier’s Beloved Cars” (published by Heibonsha).
Megumi Masuda
In 2017, Megumi successfully planned and managed The Samurai Challenge, a groundbreaking tour that traversed 33 prefectures along Japan’s iconic cherry blossom front. The event brought together 54 cars and 120 participants, including organizers, from 14 countries around the world. Her meticulous attention to detail and exceptional organizational skills ensured the tour’s success, leaving a lasting impression on both participants and the regions it passed through.
For Megumi, this event represents the fulfillment of a dream that began with The Samurai Challenge in 2017, seven years in the making. In essence, it stands as the spiritual successor to The Samurai Challenge II.
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採択決定｜観光庁「アドベンチャーツーリズム等の新たなインバウンド層の誘致のための地域の魅力再発見事業」に採択頂きました。
令和3年 観光庁「アドベンチャーツーリズム等の新たなインバウンド層の誘致のための地域の魅力再発見事業」
写真『The Samurai Challenge 2017』より
おかげさまで、株式会社Musubiが企画提案させて頂いた「日本を結ぶツーリングMJT-Musubi Japan Touring 日本魅力再発見」が、2021年6月24日に採択事業となりました。
アドベンチャーツーリズムとは、自然・文化体験・アクティビティの３つの要素のうち２つ以上で構成される体験型の旅行形態の１つで、アクティビティを通じ、地域の自然・文化を体験することで、旅行者自身が新しい・多様な価値観に触れ、自身の内面が変わっていくような旅のスタイルです。
MJTは、これらの要素を盛り込んだ旅のスタイルをツーリングを通して企画実施いたします。MJT- Musubi Japan Touringには「日本の各地を結んでいく、国内・海外参加者の気持ち、スタッフの気持ち、立ち寄り先の人々の気持ち、を結んでいく」ような意味を込めました。
運営チームは 2017年イギリスRally Round社と協力し世界13カ国から約50台の愛車と愛好家を国内に誘致し、全国33都道府県を九州から北海道まで縦断した「The Samurai Challenge」の運営責任者である増田恵美と岡田邦雄氏が主軸となります。
また本事業は、専門家による事業内容等のコーチング（改善指導等）を通じて、地域と専門家とが併走し、国内外の観光客の消費額増加や満足度向上に繋がる観光資源を発掘し磨き上げていく特徴がございます。9月6日現在までに、観光庁様、コーチの皆様と共に、ツーリング候補地ロケハンと毎週１回の定期定例会を実施して参りました。
自分達では思いも寄らないプロモーションアイデアやご紹介を賜り、チーム一同、新たなステージへの挑戦に心弾ませているところです。上質で洗練された至高のツーリングプログラムに結びつつ、次年度以降、安定して進展・拡大・成長するプログラムに育てて参ります。
２０２１年１１月１４日、１５日、１６日の２泊３日「日本を結ぶツーリング MJT – Musubi Japan Touring 日本魅力再発見 Sr.1 – 東京・埼玉・茨城・栃木編 」モニターツアーを予定致しております。モニターツーリングプログラムの公式発表は、９月下旬に専用ウェブサイトにて発表を予定いたしております。それまでの間も、お問合せを承っております。どうぞお気軽に下記メールアドレスへご連絡ください。
担当：増田
企画運営者 略歴
The Samurai Challenge 運営責任者｜コッパ・ジャポネシリーズ主催
岡田邦雄
1957年生まれ。愛知県名古屋市出身。1991年より、クラシックカーのラリー／ツーリング・イベントを、東京都、宮城県、長野県、愛知県、京都府などにおいて、企画、主催、協力、など、様々な立場や段階で実施。東京都国立博物や京都国立博物館など、博物館や美術館でのクラシックカー展示の協力。また、海外のクラシックカー・イベントの参加、および、日本からの参加者のサポート。また海外から日本のイベントへ参加される場合のサポート。CAR GRAPHIC 、AUTOCAR など専門誌への寄稿。主な著作として『ル・コルビュジエの愛したクルマ』平凡社。
The Samurai Challenge 運営責任者
増田恵美
1974年生まれ。茨城県古河市出身。ロンドン大学院修士修了後、イギリス系富裕層インバウンド旅行社に14年間勤務。旅行業と全国通訳案内士国家資格を持つ。2017年、世界13カ国から120名の参加者が所有する愛車50台を海外から輸送し、九州から北海道までの33都道府県を桜前線に沿って日本縦断した24日間の長期ツーリング「The Samurai Challenge」を大成功させる。２回目の直接オファーをきっかけに株式会社Musubi（旅行業登録第２種）を設立し独立。
Musubi: Curating unique Japan experiences for sophisticated travellers
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